Furniss’ class has provided an essential historical foundation for her students in their careers with studios and as independent filmmakers. A New History of Animation brings her insightful and comprehensive overview of the field to the public and to students in film and animation programs around the world. “In 20 years of teaching animation history, I have never found one book that covered all of the aspects of history I wished to present,” said Furniss. “Consequently, I developed my own extensive database of historical notes to use for my lectures. When I was contacted by Thames & Hudson to develop a book on the history of animation, I used my notes as the basis for the chapters.”

From 17th Century magic lantern shows to the rise of Pixar and beyond, A New History of Animation tells the story of animation’s evolving artistry and technical innovation. The book introduces readers to industrial productions and arts-based practices related to drawn and painted animation, stop-motion, and computer-generated imagery; major studios within the United States and Japan; and animation produced throughout Eastern and Western Europe, the UK, Australia, Latin America, South Africa, and elsewhere. The analysis of these works is placed within historical contexts that help readers understand the “big picture” that has influenced the development of the art form throughout the years.

Many CalArts animation students have become the established masters and rising stars of the industry—with accumulated box office grosses through September 2016 for animated features directed by CalArts alumni totaling more than $39.5 billion. Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out, directed by alumnus Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen, won the 2016 Oscar for Best Animated Feature—marking the 10th time a graduate of the CalArts Character Animation Program took home the award. This year, Sanjay’s Super Team, directed and written by alumnus Sanjay Patel for Disney/Pixar, was nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar. Alumni have two series on Disney XD: Aaron Springer’s series, Billy Dilley’s Super-Duper Subterranean Summer will premiere in 2017 and alumna Daron Nefcy’s series, Star vs. the Forces of Evil has been picked up for its third season. Jason Carpenter received a 2016 Emmy for Outstanding Individual Achievement In Animation for his work on the National Geographic Channel’s He Named Me Malala.

Maureen Furniss, PhD is an animation historian at CalArts, where she teaches animation history courses and is the director of the Experimental Animation Program. Furniss is the author of Art in Motion: Animation Aesthetics and The Animation Bible. She is the founding editor of Animation Journal, and a founding member and former chairman, of the board of the Society for Animation Studies. She has received awards for her contributions to the field of animation from the Hollywood chapter of the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA and from Variety.

Ranked as America’s top college for students in the arts by Newsweek/The Daily Beast, California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools Art, Critical Studies, Dance, Film/Video, Music, and Theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions. As successive generations of faculty and alumni have helped shape the landscape of contemporary arts, the Institute first envisioned by Walt Disney encompasses a vibrant, eclectic community with global reach, inviting experimentation, independent inquiry, and active collaboration and exchange among artists, artistic disciplines and cultural traditions.

Share this story:

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

California State University, Northridge’s Delmar T. Oviatt Library and the Bonita J. Campbell Women in Science and Engineering Endowment — an organization that encourages women to build careers in the fields of science and engineering — invites the public to a one-time screening documentary about female technology entrepreneurs.

This fall, artist and CalArts alum Rubén Ortiz-Torres (Art MFA 92) participates in two exhibitions as part of "Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA," the Getty’s collaborative exploration of Latin American and Latino art.

CalArts faculty and choreographer Rosanna Gamson of Rosanna Gamson/World Wide serves as the Creative Producer and Dramaturge of "Daedalus' Daughter," a new dance theater piece created by writer-director-performer Carol Katz.

CalArts will kick off the 2017-2018 season of its acclaimed Wild Beast Concert Series with a free, outdoor performance by two large experimental jazz bands, The Daniel Rosenboom Octet and theBABAOrchestra, on Saturday night, Oct. 14.

The Dodgers announced Monday that third baseman Justin Turner was named the winner of the 12th annual Roy Campanella Award, which is given to the Dodger player who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.

California State University, Northridge’s Delmar T. Oviatt Library and the Bonita J. Campbell Women in Science and Engineering Endowment — an organization that encourages women to build careers in the fields of science and engineering — invites the public to a one-time screening documentary about female technology entrepreneurs.

The California Film Commission issues an annual report to provide the legislature, state government staff, and the public with an assessment of the Program's economic impact to the state, as well as statistical information and insights into California's entertainment production industry.

A Newhall Ranch development expected to bring about 11.5 million square feet for commercial use and 21,000 homes to Santa Clarita’s west side, might be nearing an end to its lengthy legal battle with environmentalists.

As California remains number one in the nation for fatalities at railroad crossings, Caltrans reminds Californians to remember the risks and dangers around trains and railroad tracks and to practice safe behavior around them during U.S. Rail Safety Week (Sept. 24-30).

Valencia High School opened in 1994 with about 350 sophomores and 550 freshmen who would comprise the classes of 1997 and 1998. On Saturday, more than 230 of them attended the first-ever 20-year reunion of Valencia High School alumni.

Tonight on SCV NewsBreak, a 21 year old man was arrested as a suspect in a Valencia murder. Plus, see how this year's River Rally went. Watch these stories and more on tonight's edition of SCV NewsBreak.

A proposal to transfer ownership of the Santa Clarita Emergency Winter Shelter from the city of Santa Clarita to non-profit organization Bridge to Home is among the items on the agenda for the City Council's regular meeting at City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

CSUN will continue to enforce existing guidelines regarding sexual misconduct even as the U.S. Department of Education withdraws its guidelines for revision, Chancellor Timothy P. White told students in a letter.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean C. Logan will deliver the keynote address at California State University, Los Angeles for National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 26.

This fall, artist and CalArts alum Rubén Ortiz-Torres (Art MFA 92) participates in two exhibitions as part of "Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA," the Getty’s collaborative exploration of Latin American and Latino art.

CalArts faculty and choreographer Rosanna Gamson of Rosanna Gamson/World Wide serves as the Creative Producer and Dramaturge of "Daedalus' Daughter," a new dance theater piece created by writer-director-performer Carol Katz.

CalArts will kick off the 2017-2018 season of its acclaimed Wild Beast Concert Series with a free, outdoor performance by two large experimental jazz bands, The Daniel Rosenboom Octet and theBABAOrchestra, on Saturday night, Oct. 14.